Senate Republicans Raise Over $9M

WASHINGTON – Vice President Dick Cheney (search) helped Senate Republicans raise $9.1 million Wednesday evening for their efforts to keep a majority in the November elections.

Cheney was headlining a fund-raiser for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (search) at the National Building Museum. North Carolina freshman Sen. Elizabeth Dole (search) was the event's chairwoman.

The NRSC and its Democratic rival started September close in fund raising, though the GOP committee led in money left on hand. Each raised about $4 million in August.

The Republican committee, whose members hold a slim Senate majority of 51-48 with one independent, has raised at least $59 million this election cycle and has spent $37 million. It began September with $22 million in the bank.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has raised at least $55 million from January 2003 through last month and has spent $45 million. It started the month with about $11 million on hand and $149,000 in debts.